Method and apparatus for decorating and forming articles



T. S. REESE Jan. 10, 1933.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DECORATING AND FORMING ARTICLES Filed Nov. 2, 1931 THOMAS 54 REE E Patented Jan. 10, 1933 UNITED STATES THOIAS S. REESE, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DECORATING AND FORMING Application filed November 2, 1931. Serial No. 572,111.

The present invention relates to surface ornamentation and more particularly to a method of and an apparatus for applying to a surface an ornamental coating simulating wood grains, polished stone such as marble, tile or other decorative effects.

The invention is primarily concerned with the ornamentation of sheet metal and with the subsequent shaping thereof although ornamentation of other materials is contemplated. Towards this end the invention contemplates the provision of a transfer pr nt having the desired decorative effect which may with comparative ease and rapidity be applied to sheet metal and the decorated metal with the transfer print thereon subsequently shaped, formed or cut to form the completed article.

Heretofore the imitating of wood grams, marble, tile or the like on metal has been largely a matter of hand work. Furthermore numerous limitations have been attendant upon the present methods of imitating such decorative efiects and these limitations have been such that a satisfactory reproduction of the same has not been attaine One method of imitating wood grains, marble, tile and the like on metal has been to provide a comparatively large intaglio plate having recesses and ralsed portions formed thereon to attain the desired decorative effect. The plate is inked with a roller and the ink is then wiped from the raised portions of this plate, the ink remaining in the recesses. A composition roller is caused to pick up the ink from the recesses in the plate and this roller is then rolled onto the metal which has been previously primed with a suitable color. The ink is thus deposited on the surface of themetal. After transferring of the ink to the metal, the metal with the ink thereon is placed in an oven and baked. Subsequently the metal is sprayed with suitable finishing coats which may later be rubbed and polished.

This method of graining is attended by many serious limitations, one of which is that only one color may be employed for the background of the reproduction while another color may be employed for the ink print. This process, being limited to the use of two colors, cannot reproduce satisfactorily an effeet which in the ordinary course of printing might require five or six colors to make a reasonably satisfactory reproduction. In additlon to this the labor cost for this particular method has been unusuall high in that the entlre process is a slow an tedious one and is not readily adapted to conditions of mass production. Yet another limitation attendant upon this method is that the surface of the material, in order to receive the ink from the roller, must be flat or the roller must be formed to encompass the material when it is formed into a particular shape, as portions of the graining which are left unfinished by the roller must be finished by hand. Where hand work is employed a highly skilled artisan must be employed, thus materially increasing the cost of the finished articles.

One of the most pertinent limitations concomitant upon the method of graining above outlined is the inability to prepare an ornamentalfinish whichis capable of withstanding a drawing or die forming operation. Where forming has been attempted after graining metal, it has been found that the decorated surface becomes ruptured and the design distorted or eifaced. This fact in itself precludes the feasibility of first graining and then drawing or formin the finished metal.

Efforts have been ma e to effect this rocess of graining the metal first and then orming the metal. These efforts, however, indicate that the method cannot be relied upon for multiple operation as under conditions of mass production. As the practice referred to in these efforts entails first carefully cleaning the material and then applying a suitable primer material. The metal with the primer thereon is then dried in an oven until a predetermined degree of hardness of the primer is attained. The metal with the primer thereon, is then placed in a hydraulic press and a transfer r1nt' is placed on the primed surface of t e metal. A pressure of approximately twelve hundred pounds per square inch upon the primed metal with the transfer thereon is required in this operation. Heating of the material undergoing treat meat is simultaneously effected with the application of pressure and a temperature of approximately two hundred degrees F. is attained. The theory advanced under this practice is that the primer material Wlll soften at this temperature and the tremendous pressure exerted will force the transfer into the primer. The metal plate with whatsoever portion of the transfer as may attain thereto is then removed from the press and treated in an oven at a temperature of 300 F. or more for a period of an hour. After this baking operation the material is ready for forming.

Numerous limitations inhibit this method of graining and forming the metal, the most obvious of which is the high cost of carrying out the process indicated. It has been foun that even after baking of the metal with the transfer print thereon the transfer which forms the design of the wood grain or other decorative effect is extremely soft and considerable care must be exercised in removing the paper and handling the material thereafter. So serious is this limitation that if the method were practical the percentage of scrap or defective work would be excessively high even when skilled labor is employe Obviously then only the highest and most skilled type of craftsmen could be employed and accordingly the cost of such skilled talent together with the additional cost of material scrap, would render such method prohibitive.

Another serious limitation attendant upon this method of graining is that in order to enable the finished surface to withstand a polishing operation, from three to four coats of lacquer are required on the surface of the transfer to give it the proper body to withstand a polishing or finishing operation. This further entails additional costly operations.

In decorating metal surfaces by means of a transfer operation, it is necessary that the metal surfaces have applied thereto a coating of primer material. The initial priming of the metal surface may be accomplished by first cleaning the surface thoroughly and then by spraying, brushing, or by any other form of application the priming material is caused to cover the metal surface.

The primer material which must be applied to the metal surface acts as a binder for the design carrying film and serves to cause this film to adhere closely to the metal surface.

The present invention contemplates the imitating of wood grains, tile, mosaic, and other effects by arotogravure or lithogravure process in which various colors are employed.

In order to accurately imitate a particular specimen a background must be provided to give the proper effect to the design. Inasmuch as a primer material must be employed, the present invention contemplates the use of this primer material itself as the background. The relative difl'erence in cost between a primer material of one color and a primer material of another color is negligible and hence it follows that it cost no more to use a primer material of the desired color for the background than it would cost to use a primer material of an entirely different color. By using a primer material of a suitable color for the background of the design carryin film, the necessity of ap lying an additions. coating of material to the film carrying the re uired color is eliminated.

y the elimination of a coating of material carrying the back round color from the transfor material a film is provided which is thlnner in its texture than would ordinarily be the case and consequently this transfer material is more readily adaptable to a forming operation. Whereas, with the additional thickness of material in the film a forming operation would ordinarily be impossible due to the tendency of the film to be ruptured.

by the dies. With the thinner film, provided by the elimination of a color, a forming operation of a relatively deep nature may be accomplished.

The present invention contemplates therefore a provision of a transfer print in which there is a film upon which there has been printed, rotogravured or lithographed a design which may represent a aining effect. This design is applied to the lm to be transferred in one or more colors. The color for the background of the design is omitted from the film but is adapted to be carried by the primer material. The film so to speak is semi-transparent and the color of the primer material which forms the background shows through this film and imparts to it the desired graining effect.

The present invention cuts down the number of coats of lacquer that are required on the surface of the transfer to a single coating and if desired the film may be formed of a material that is capable of withstanding a polishing operation to completely eliminate the necessity of using a coating of lacquer.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a method and an apparatus for applying to a metal surface an ornamental coating of the type described which method overcomes the serious limitations that are above reviewed. Accordingly the invention provides a method of graining and decorating metal surfaces and the like which does not require the use of skilled labor, and which minimizes the deficiency of the decorative design and the consequent loss of culls or scrap and which also materially reduces the finishing cost. An additional object of the invention is the provision of a method and an apparatus for manufacturing the articles in which the decoration may be effected in a more comprehensive manner and with greater ex edition.

onvenience of arran ement of parts of the mechanism em loye for carrying out the method indicated, and the provision of an apparatus which will effectively and economically carry out the method involved are further desirable features that have been borne in mind in the production and development of the present invention.

Other objects of the invention not at this time more particularly enumerated will become more readily apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood and the same consists in the novel method which will be more fully described and in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts shown in the accompanyIng single sheet of drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus employed for carrying out the method involved in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2. is a plan view of a decorative automobile dash panel manufactured in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a side view of the article shown in Figure 2, and

Figure 4 is a side elevation of a forming press employed for forming the article shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Figs. 5 and 6 are detailed views illustrating the product of this invention.

Generally the invention consists in applying to the surface of the metal to be formed a film or coating carrying the replica or design to be imparted to the surface of the finished article which film or coating is of such a nature that in accordance with the present process it will readily adhere to the metal and will be capable of resisting the deleterious effects of a drawing or die forming operation.

The method contemplated by the present invention in forming the decorative articles consists in applying the design or graining upon flat strip stock from which the articles are to be formed. This graining process may consist in abrading the surface of the metal to remove all foreign material therefrom or in treating this surface with a wash or chemical cleansing agent. A primer material is then applied to the metal. This primer material may be air dried or may be dried by a forced drying process if it is desirable to give the primer material the proper degree of hardness.

A transfer print is provided which is prepared by applying upon the gummed paper a coating of cellulose ester either alone or in combination with one or more substances such as soluble resins, and plasticizers such as gums, rubber or the like. The rubber in a solution of acetone or like solvent may be is incapable of distorting the paper upon drying. The film forms a surface susceptible of accommodating printing, such as a photolithographic process or fiat bed printing by which an imitation graining effect, marble efi'ect, tile effect or the like may be effected.

The film itself may either be transparent or pigmented to provide different colors for the background dependent upon the desired graining effect. For example where birdseye maple graining is to be imitated, the cellulose ester film may be impregnated with yellow pigment and where marble and tile effects are to be created the cellulose ester film may be transparent or white in color.

The cellulose ester film may then have applied thereto a clear or pigmented film of a cellulose ester composition. This film preferably contains a liquid which is a mutual solvent for the carrier of the pigment in the ink and the transfer film in order that the transfer design together with the material with which it is incorporated will become thoroughly amalgamated. Various solvents may be employed for this purpose although it has been found that a. cellulose nitrate solution similar to the solution used in making the film gives the best results. The latter solution may be clear, translucent or pigmented dependent upon the effect sought to be obtained; This second coating, while similar to the first, preferably contains a higher percentage of high boiling solvent which causes the solution to dry slowly so that the solvent therein can act through the underlymg film, causing the material of the film to be thoroughly united with the printed ink. Thus the tendency of the ink to pull away from the film in subsequent operations is avoided.

It is obvious, however, that the layer or coating which is to be transferred to the surface to be treated may be formed of other suitable materials either as a single layer or as a plurality of layers and may be subjected to a reproduction process or may be devoid of any pigment or design pattern.

The film which has been placed on the gum paper is then treated with a solution which has a softening action on both the transfer and on the primer previously applied to the metal. The most satisfactory solution for. this purpose is an ethyl lactate which may be diluted with water to the proper strength. The transfer with the paper thereon and the metal with the primer thereon are then rolled through a pair of rubber squeezing rolls to remove the excess solvent and to secure a uniform and thorough contact of the transfer with the primer material. The metal with the transfer applied thereto and with the paper backing still remaining on the transfer design is passed through a drying oven and the solvent which may be of a volatile material is driven off or evaporated thus leaving the transfer film closely adhering to the primer material on the metal.

The cement or solvent conveniently takes the form of ethyl lactate and Water which is employed to soften the surface of the primer and the transfer film so that upon application of the transfer film to the primer good contact at the surface will be secured throughout their whole area. It is evident that the solvent or cement may be applied to either or both the two surfaces to be brought together. It is convenient to permit the priming material to dry or set and to carry the base material with the primer on it in stock on which a transfer decoration may be mounted at any time.

The next step in the process is the forming operation. This operation may be performed with the paper backing still on the metal or this paper backing may be removed to disclose the transfer design. It has been found preferable to remove the paper before the forming operation to prevent tearing of the paper backing and clogging of the formin dies.

Tiy leaving the paper backing on the metal the flat metal may be shipped to the ultimate consumer without the danger of marring or defacing the decorative design applied to the surface of the metal. Immediately upon completion of the decoration of the sheets of metal these sheets may be stacked for shipping. At the destination the paper backing may be removed before or after the sheets have been formed.

The paper backing serves no function after the transfer film has been applied to the primer other than that of protecting the surface of the transfer film as above stated. Therefore it may be desirable and it is practicable according to this invention to remove the paper backing as soon as the transfer film has been applied to the primer. The built up article may then be baked in order to unite the transfer film and base material securely by the primer or adhesive.

In connection with the forming operation a lubricant is usually used although this is not essential to the invention. In connection with the use of a lubricant in the forming operation such a lubricant should preferably be soluble in water. \Vhen such a lubricant is used, water may be added to the same in order to soften the paper backing and render the same pliable to facilitate the forming operation. It has been found in practice of this invention that a soluble saponified oil such as a mixture of lard oil and soft soap with which water has been mixed is well adapted to perform the function re uired of it. Another advantageous feature in the use of soluble oil is that such lubricant may readily be washed off with water and thus the necessity of a gasoline or benzene wash may be eliminated.

In the accompanying single sheet of drawing an apparatus for carrying out the method involved has been disclosed. This apparatus is illustrated of the method although it is to be understood that other forms of apparatus which will accomplish the ultimate result desired may be employed. Referring now to the drawing the device involves in its general organization a frame or table 10 including longitudinal side members 12 and supporting legs 14. J ournalled across the longitudinal members 12 are a plurality of drums 15, 16 and 17 with which there is associated an endless conveyor 18 which passes over these drums. The conveyor may be driven by any suitable source of power not shown.

Supported on each of the side members 12 are a pair of vertically extending supports 20. These supports serve to carry upper longitudinal side members 22 across which there are journalled a pair of drums 24 and 26, which latter drums carry an endless conveyor 28. The drums 15 and 26 may be driven in unison by means of a belt 30 which connects these two members. A suitable clutch lever 32 serves to operate a clutch 34 associated with the drum 26 to permit the conveyor to be stopped when desired for a purpose to be more fully described hereinafter. In carrying out the present invention the lower conveyor 18 may be continuously driven.

A plurality of sheets of strip stock designated at 36 are stacked in the space beneath the machine in such a manner that the operator or operators may have ready access to the same. These sheets of material have preferably been prepared in accordance with the above mentioned process by a cleaning operation and by the application of a coating of primer material which has been hardened to the desired degree by a baking process. These sheets are placed on the conveyor 18 with the treated surface faced upwardly. A suitable spraying device in the form of a pipe 38 having nozzles 40 extended therewith served to spray the solvent on the primer coating which is applied to the sheet metal. This solvent has a softening action on the primer material.

The transfer material is fed from a roll 42 onto the upper conveyor 28 with the cellulose ester film opposed to the sheet metal being fed on the lower conveyor 18. A spraying device 44 similar to the spraying device 38 and having nozzles 46 serves to spray the paper backing side of the transfer material with the solvent liquid which liquid also has a softening action on the cellulose ester film of the transfer material as well as on the primer. This .wetting of the paper by thesolvent liquid makes the paper pliable and easy to apply. A pressure roll 48 serves to remove the excess liquid from the transfer material. The transfer material arranged with the cellulose ester film to face the primer material on the sheet metal 36 passes together with the sheet metal through a pair of pressure rolls 50 and 52. These pressure rolls are preferably provided with rubber squeezing surfaces 54. The rolls 50 and 52 are journalled in a pair of standards 56 and the upper roll 52 is vertically adjustable in slots 58 formed in the standards 56. The rubber squeezing rolls 50 and 52 removes the excess solvent and serves to efiect a uniform and thorough contact of the transfer film with the primer material. The metal with the transfer applied thereto and with the paper backing still remaining on the transfer is passed through in any suitable drying oven as for example the electrical resistance oven 60 shown in the drawing.

A -cutofi mechanism shown diagrammatically at 62 serves to cut the transfer material from the sheet metal 36. The clutch mechanism 32 may be operated to sto the conveyor 28 and prevent further fee ing of the transfer material onto the conveyor when the cutting mechanism 62 is being operated. The sheets 36 with the transfer material applied thereto are then removed from the drying oven 60 and are caused to undergo a forming operation as described in the above mentioned process. in Figure 4 a forming mechanism designated in its entirety at 64 is disclosed. This mechanism consists in upper and lower die elements 66 and 68 respectively which serve to operate upon the prepared sheets 36 to shape the finished articles. As stated above the forming operation may be formed with the paper backing still on the metal or this backing may previously be removed. In addition to this a lubricant, as

I described, which is soluble in water may be employed if desired.

in Figures 2 and 3 an automobile dash board manufactured in accordance with the principles of the present invention is disclosed.

The primer or bonding medium is, according to this invention, united directly with the metal. Conventional primers may be employed in practising this invention. Such primers need only have the characteristics that they be sufficiently elastic and adhesive to maintain a union with the base material when deformed and that solvents, for uniting the transfer film to the primer, have a solvent action thereon. The primer may be laid down in one or more coats. Well-hown primers of the cellulose ester and plasticizers and resin, of the cellulose ester and resin, of the synthetic resin, and of the resin and oil types which have the above characteristics are exem lified by the following formulas.

1. bonding medium or primer of the cellulose ester, plasticizer and resin type:

2. A bonding medium of the cellulose ester and resin type:

Partaby weight R. S. nitrocellulose 2 Rezyl 33 (60% resin40% toluol) 1 Ferrite yellow 1 Butyl acetat 2 Ethyl acetate 2 Butanol 1 Ethyl lactate 1 Toluol 9% Fore dry hour at 150 Fahrenheit, or air dry.

The Rezyl of the above formula is the trade name for a, synthetic resin which is a glycerine phthalate condensation product.

3. A bonding medium or primer of the cellulose ester and synthetic resin type:

Parts by weight R. S. Nitrocellulose 2030 2 Tricresyl phosphate 1 4 Bezyl #53 solution (80% Rezyl balsam t0lI10l) Rezyl solution (70% Rezyl #110 solution-30% xylol) 3 Ferrite yellow 2 Ethyl acetate 4 Butyl acetate 2 315 Ethyl lactate 1 Toluol 9% Baking time-1 hour at 275 Fahrenheit. The Rezyls of the above formula are trade names for commercially available synthetic resins which are the condensation product of glycerol and phthalate acid.

t. A primer of the synthetic resin type:

Parts by weight Rezyl #110 5 Ferrite yellow 4c Xylol 4. Turpentine Bake 1 hr. at 275 F.

the above formula is a resin formed by the condensation of the glycerol phthalate.

5. A primer or bonding medium of the synthetic resin combined with an oil type:

Partsby weight Bakelite XR-254 9 Ester gum. 1 Chinawood oil 20 Bodied linseed oil 4 Mineral spirits 2 Toluol 15 Ferrite yellow 10 Run the bakelite, ester gum and oil at 460 Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Thin down with mineral spirits and toluol. Grind in the ferrite yellow or any suitable method.

Baking time-V; hour at 350 Fahrenheit, or air dry.

The Bakelite XR-254 is a trade name for phenol formaldahyde condensation product or resinous material. a

As indicated hereinbefore, a transfer film is provided which has the capacity for deformation in the sense of stretching or distorting the film permanently or beyon d its elastic limit without 'deleteriously affecting those properties of the film which it is intended to afford. Certain substances have been mentioned as essential ingredients of such a film. Such substances may be classified as cellulose esters and plasticizers, synthetic resin, resin and oils. A very useful and practicable combination of the transfer film and of the primer bonding medium is provided by making both of those substances with a nitrocellulose or pyroxylin base with which plasticizers and resins or resins alone may be combined to afford the necessary physical properties. For the purpose of this invention the other cellulose esters may be employed, the nitrocellulose or pyroxylin enjoying popularity because of the wide use of the pyrox lin lacquers in present day trade practice. uitable formulas for the transfer film are as follows:

1. A formula of the cellulose ester and plasticizer type:-

Parts by weight Cellulose acetate viscosity 1 Cellulose acetate20 viscosity 1 Santacizer #8 (ethylated toluene sulphone onamid) 1 Diethylphthalate 1 Toluol 10 Acetone 3 Methyl Cellosolve 5 Diacetone alcohol 2 2. An other formula of the cellulose ester and plasticizer type employs pyroxylin:

Parts by weight 2030 lacquer cotton 1 lacquer cotton 1 Blown castor oil 1 Tricresyl phosphate 1 Toluol 13.44 Ethyl acetate 4.48 Butyl acetate 4.48 Butanol--- 2. 24

3. A formula suitable for the transfer film of the ester, plasticizer and resin type:

Parts by weight R. S. 20-30 lacquer cotton 1 R. S. /f lacquer cotton 1 Dammar gum l Diamylphthalate 1 Blown castor oil 1 Toluol 13.44 Butyl alcohol 3.36 Ethyl acetate 3. 36 Cellosolve 1. 12 Butyl Cellosolve 1.12

Cellosolve of the above formula is the trade name for a solvent composed of ethyleneglycol-mono-ethyl-ether.

4. Another suitable transfer film formula of the cellulose ester, plasticizer and resin type employs the acetate instead of the pyroxylin is as follows:

The Rezyl is a trade name for a solvent the chemical nature of which is indicated.

5. Another suitable transfer film formula of the cellulose ester resin type employing pyroxylin is as follows:

Parts by weight R. S. nitrocellulose; 2 Rezyl Balsam #337-332 3 Butyl acetate 2 Ethyl acetate 2 Butanol 1 Ethyl lactate 1 Toluol 9 P application.

6. Another suitable formula for the transfer film of the synthetic resin type is as follows:

I Parltlfiy We Rezyl #113 solution-(% Rezyl #113- 40% xylene) 2 Hi-fiash naphtha 1 Mineral spirits 1 Mixed dryer, containing .4% lead; .05% manganese; 03% cobalt; based on the weight of the Rezyl #113.

7. A formula for the transfer filmof the synthetic resin with oil type is as follows:

Parts by weight Bakelite XR254 9 Ester gum 1 Tung oil 20 Bodied linseed oil 4 Mineral spirits 2 Xylol 15 Run the bakelite, ester gum and oils at 450 Fahrenheit for 30 minutes and thin down with mineral spirits and toluol. Add 6 oz. liquid cobalt dryer.

8. A formula for the transferfilm of the natural resin and oil type is as follows:

Parts by weight Ester gum 28 Linseed oil 17 Tung oil 11 Run the ester gum and oils and thin with 30 parts by weight of turpentine and 25 parts by Weight of mineral spirits.

9. A formula for the transfer film of the cellulose ester, rubber and resin type 1s as follows Parts by Rubber solution referred to is a solution 50%pure gum rubber in benzol.

As pointed out hereinbefore 1n connect1on with the description of the process of this invention, a suitable agent may be employed to soften the surface of the primer or bonding medium and of the transfer film. The surfaces may be treated to render them tacky preliminary to applying the film to the primer. Alternatively the solvent may be combined with sufficient diluent such as water, the mixture acting as lubricant between the juxtaposed surfaces when the film is first applied to the primer so as to facilitate the The diluent should evaporate more rapidly than the solvent leaving the latter in increasing concentration so as to effeet a solvent or a softening action on the adjacent surfaces, thus cementing them toether. For that reason the solvent should ave a lower vapor pressure than the diluent and be miscible therewith in all proportions. Such are ethyl lactate (B. P. 150 C.) and water. Such an agent may be employed where the transfer is of the film type, that is, in contradistinction to transfers of the solely ink type. The transfer film may be either a single lamination or may be built of a lamination of clear lac uer or the like upon which a design may e printed and over which design a second lamination of lacquer or like material, which may or may not carry a background color, may be applied. Solvents which are equivalents for ethyl lactate, for the purpose of this invention, since,

as Well known in the art, they are solvents for substantially the same materials as ethyl.

lactate, are miscible in all proportions with water, and are of lower vapor pressure than water, are as follows:

Boiling point (Deg. C.) Methyl Cellosolve (ethyline glycol mono-methyl ether) 124. 5 Diacetone alcohol 160 Ethyloxy butyrate 146 Cellosolve (ethyline glycol monoethyl ether) 134.8 Carbitol (diethyline glycol monoethyl ether) 190-200 Furfuryl alcohol. 169

The Water is used as the diluent, it being a convenient and inexpensive one, and one which acts to soften the gum on the decalcomania paper thereby facilitating the subsequent removal of the paper.

This invention is concerned largely with forming decorated objects. As is evident from the foregoing disclosure, the invention also includes within its purview the process of building up a decorative body by uniting a transfer film to a base material carrying a primer by the action of a solvent on the surfaces of the primer and the film which are brought into contact. Because of its popularity such primer and transfer film may be composed of pyroxylin to which may be added such other substances as may be necessary to give it suitable physical characteristics.

The invention is not to be limited to the apparatus or process disclosed in the accompanying drawing as various embodiments of an apparatus that will accomplish effectively the process above outlined may be employed. For example, the first coat of cellulose ester film may be dispensed with and the design may be applied directly to the gummed side of ordinary decalcomania paper. A suitable material capable of withstanding a forming operation may be superimposed on the design and allowed to harden. The transfer thus formed may be ap )lied in the manner above indicated to a sur ace to be formed. Again, the invention does not rely on the prehardening and subsequent softening of the film or primer material. The primer material and film may be applied together while still in a softened state or either may be applied to the other in a softened state so that upon hardening the proper adhering action is effected.

The use of a pi mented ground coat of primer with a transfer film carrying a design, the color of the ground coat and the colors of the design complementing one another to complete the design which is disclosed in this application and which is claimed in combination with other features of this invention in claim 28, is disclosed and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 607,891 filed April 27, 1932. Also, the use of a synthetic resin which acts as a plasticizer in a cellulose ester film disclosed in this application, is disclosed and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 636,175 filed October 4,1932.

Only in so far as the invention has particularly been pointed out in the accompanying claims is the same to be limited.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. The combination with a strip of sheet metal of a die-formable primer thereon, a thin die-formable film of prehardened material carrying a printed or lithographed design applied to the primer, said film being comprised of a synthetic resin material.

2. The combination with a strip of sheet metal of a die-formable primer thereon, a thin die-formable film of prehardened material applied to the primer, said film being comprised of a cellulose ester material with which there is associated a synthetic resin.

3. The combination with a strip of sheet metal of a die-formable primer thereon, a thin film of, prehardened material applied to the primer, said film being comprised of a cellulose ester material having associated therewith a material capable of imparting to the film the required degree of toughness that it will withstand a die forming operation.

4. The combination with an absorbent backing of a film of transferable material, having a design thereon, adapted to be transferred to a surface to be subsequently shaped, said film being capable of withstanding a forming operation on the surface to which it is to be transferred, said film composed of any of the group of substances including cellulose ester and plasticizer and resin, cellulose ester and resin, synthetic resin, resin and oil.

5. The combination with an absorbent backing of a film of transferable material,

having a design printed or lithographed thereon, and adapted to be transferred to a surface to be subsequently shaped, said film being capable of withstanding a forming operation on the surface to which it is to be transferred, said film being composed of any of the group of substances including cellulose ester and plasticizer and resin, cellulose ester and resin, synthetic resin, resin and oil.

6. The combination with an absorbent backing of a film of die-formable transferable material, having a design thereon adapted to be transferred to a surface to be subsequently shaped, said film .bei'ng comprised of a synthetic resin.

7 The combination with an absorbent backing of a deformable film of transferable material, having a design thereon, adapted to be transferred to a surface to be subsequently shaped, said film being comprised of a synthetic resin having associated therewith an oil.

8. The combination with an absorbent backing of a deformable film of transferable material, having a design thereon, adapted to be transferred to a surface to be subsequent- 1y shaped, said film being comprised of synthetic resin having associated therewith a plasticizer. 7

9. The combination with an absorbent backing of a deformable film of transferable material, having a design thereon, adapted to be transferred to a surface to be subsequently shaped, said film being comprised of synthetic resin having associated therewith a natural resin.

10. The combination with an absorbent backing of a deformable film of transferable material, having a design thereon, adapted to be transferred to a surface to be subsequently shaped, said film being comprised of a synthetic resin having associated therewith a rubber compound.

11. The combination with an absorbent backing of a deformable film of transferable material, having a design thereon, adapted to be transferred to a surface to be subsequently shaped, said film being comprised of a synthetic resin having associated therewith a material which will impart to the film the required degree of hardness that it will withstand a relatively deep drawing operation on the surface to which it is to be transferred.

12. The method of forming an article which comprises, applying to the surface of a sheet of metal a coating of primer material, applying to an absorbent backing a coating of any of the group substances which comprises cellulose ester and plasticizer, cellulose ester and plasticizer and resin, cellulose ester and resin, synthetic resin, resin and oil, capable of withstanding a drawing operation, applying a solvent to one of said coatings, bringing said coatings together with the application of pressure and permitting the same to become mutually incorporated,

and subsequently die forming the sheet of metal with the coatings and backing applied thereto.

13. The method of forming an article which comprises, applying to the surface of a sheet of metal a coating of primer material,

applying to an absorbent backing a coating of any of the group substances which comprises cellulose ester and plasticizer, cellulose ester and plasticizer and resin, cellulose ester and resin, synthetic resin, resin and oil, capable of withstanding a drawing operation, applying a solvent to one of said coatings, bringing said coatings together with the application of pressure and permitting the same to become mutually incorporated, volatilizing said mutual solvent from the coatings, and subsequently die forming the sheet of metal with the coatings and backing applied thereto.

14. The method of forming an article which comprises, applying to the surface of a sheet of metal a coating of primer material, applying to an absorbent backing a coating of any of the group substances which comprises cellulose ester and plasticizer, cellulose ester and plasticizer and resm, cellulose ester and resin, synthetic resin, resin and oil, capable of withstanding a drawing operation, applying a mutual solvent to one of said coatings, bringing said coatings together with the application of pressure and permitting the same to become mutually incorporated, and subsequently die formin the sheet of metal with the coatings and basking applied thereto.

15. The method of forming an article which comprises, applying to the surface of a sheet of metal a coating of primer material, applying to an absorbent backing a coating of any of the group substances which comprises cellulose ester and plasticizer, cellulose ester and plasticizer and resin, cellulose ester and resin, synthetic resin, resin and oil, capabio of withstanding a drawing operation, applying a softener to one of said coatings, bringing said coatings together with the ap- 50 plication of pressure and permitting the same to become mutually incorporated, and subsequently die forming the sheet of metal with the coatings and backing applied thereto.

16. The method of forming an article which comprises, applying to the surface of a sheet of metal a coating of primer material, applying to an absorbent backing a coating of any of the group substances which com- 60 prises cellulose ester and plasticizer, cellulose ester and plasticizer and resin, cellulose ester and resin, synthetic resin, resin and oil, capable of withstanding a drawing operation, applying a solvent to one of said coat- 5 ings to soften the same, bringing said coatings together with the application of pressure and permitting the same to become mutually incorporated, and subsequently die forming the sheet of metal with the coatings and backing applied thereto.

17. The method of decorating a surface which comprises imparting to said surface a color, applying to said surface a coating of deformable prehardened material having a design thereon, said design being devoid of a background color necessary to the ultimate color scheme of the design, the color of said surface being the required color to effect the desired decorative design, whereby, when said prehardened material is applied to said surface the ultimate color scheme of the design is completed and forming the surface and the coating of material thereon.

18. The combination with a strip of material of a thin coating of prehardened material having a design printed thereon, said prehardened material being capable of withstanding a die forming operation, said thin coating of prehardened material being composed of any of the group of substances including cellulose ester and plasticizer, cellulose ester, plasticizer and resin, cellulose ester and resin, synthetic resin, resin and oil.

19. A die-formable base material, a dieformable continuous film carrying a printed or lithographed design, a primer uniting the material and film and being capable of deformation, said design being beneath the surface of the film.

20. A deformable base material, a deform able pre-hardened film of cellulose ester and plasticizer and resin, a primer uniting the material and the film and being capable of deformation.

21. A die-formable base material, a dieformable pro-hardened film of cellulose ester and resin, a primer uniting the material and the film and being capable of being formed in a die-forming operation.

22. A deformable base material, a deformable pre-hardened film of any of the group of substances including synthetic resin, resin and oil, a primer uniting the material and the film and being capable of deformation.

23. A deformable base material, a deformable pre-hardened film of any of the group of substances including cellulose ester and plasticizer, cellulose ester and plasticizer and resin, cellulose ester and resin, synthetic resin, resin and oil, said film having a printed or lithographed design embodied therewith, a primer uniting the film and base material and being deformable.

24. A die-formable base material, a dieformable pro-hardened laminated film of any of the group of substances comprising cellulose ester and plasticizer, cellulose ester and plasticizer and resin, cellulose ester and resin, synthetic resin, resin and oil, said laminated film having a printed or lithographed design embodied between the laminations, a primer uniting the film and material and being formable by deforming operations.

25. In the art of manufacturing surfaced objects the steps of: applying a primer to a base material, preparing a transfer film, treating the surface of the primer and of the film with a solvent for the substance of each, uniting the film and medium at the treated surfaces.

26. In the art of manufacturing surfaced objects the steps of: applying a primer to a base material, preparing a pyroxylin transfer film, treating the surface of the primer and of the film with a solvent for the pyroxylin medium and film and uniting the film and primer at the treated surfaces.

27. In the art of manufacturing surfaced objects the steps of: applying a primer to a base material, preparing a cellulose ester transfer film with a design carried thereby, treating the surface of the primer and of the film with a solvent for the primer and the film and uniting the film and primer at the treated surfaces.

28. In the art of manufacturing surfaced objects the steps of: applying a primer to a base material, preparing a cellulose ester transfer film with a design carried thereby, treating the surface of the primer and of the film with a material containing a solvent for the primer and the film and uniting the film and primer at the treated surfaces.

29. In the art of manufacturing surfaced objects the steps of: applying a primer to a base material, preparing a cellulose ester transfer film with a design carried thereby, treating the surface of the primer and of the film with a diluent and a material containing a solvent for the primer and film, and uniting the film and primer at the treated surfaces.

30. In the art of manufacturing surfaced objects the steps of: applying a primer to a base material, preparing a pyroxylin transfer film carrying a design, uniting the film and the primer by a material containing a solvent for the primer and the film.

31. In the art of manufacturing surfaced objects the steps of: applying a primer to a base material, preparing a pyroxylin transfer film carrying a design, uniting the film and the medium by a material composed of ethyl lactate and a diluent.

32. In the art of manufacturing surfaced F objects the steps of applying a primer to steel, applying a substance to the primer which renders the primer tacky, applying to the tacky primer a transfer film carrying a design lithographed or printed thereon by pressing the film into contact with the tacky primer, and forming the ensemble.

33. In the art of manufacturing surfaced objects the steps of applying a primer to steel, baking the primer, applying a substance to the primer which renders the primer tacky,

applying to the tacky primer a transfer film carrying a design lithographed or printed thereon by pressing the film into contact with the tacky primer and forming the ensemble.

34. In the art of mamifacturing surfaced objects the steps of applying a primer to a deformable base material, baking the primer, preparing a pro-hardened, deformable film with a design printed or lithographed thereon, applying the film to the primer by introducinga medium carrying a solvent for the substance of the film and the primer.

35. In the art of manufacturing surfaced objects the steps of applying a primer to a deformable base material, depositing a film of any of the group of substances including cellulose ester and plasticizer, cellulose ester and plasticizer and resin, cellulose ester and resin, synthetic resin, resin and oil on the decalcomauia paper, printing or lithographing on the exposed surface of said film, applying the exposed surface of the film to the primer, by introducing a medium carrying a solvent for the substance of the primer and the film and forming the ensemble.

36. In the art of manufacturing surfaced objects the steps of applying a primer to a deformable base material, baking the primer, depositing a film of any of the group of substances including cellulose ester and plasticizer, cellulose ester and plasticizer and resin, cellulose ester and resin, synthetic resin, resin and oil on the decalcomania paper, printing or lithographing on the exposed surface of said film, applying the exposed surface of the film to the primer, and introducing a medium carrying a solvent for the substance of the primer and the film, and forming the ensemble.

37. The method of forming an article which comprises applying to the surface of a sheet of metal a coating of primer material, applying to an absorbent backing a coating of any of the group of substances which comprises cellulose ester and plasticizer, cellulose ester and plasticizer and resin, cellulose ester and resin, synthetic resin, resin and oil capable of withstanding a drawing operation, setting the second mentioned coating into hardened condition, applying a solvent to one of said coatings, bringing said coatings together with the application of pressure and permitting the same to become mutually incorporated, removing the backing, and dieforming the sheet of metal with the coatings applied thereto.

38. The method of forming an article which comprises applying to the surface of a sheet of metal a primer material, baking the primer material, applying to an absorbent backing a coating of any of the group of substances which comprises cellulose ester and plasticizer, cellulose ester and plasticizer and resin, cellulose ester and resin, synthetic resin, resin and oil capable of withstanding a drawing operation, setting the second mentioned coating into hardened condition, applying a solvent to one of said coatings, bringing said coatings together with the application of pressure and permitting the same to become mutually incorporated, removing the backing, and die-forming the sheet of metal with the coatings applied thereto.

39. The method of forming an article which comprises applying to the surface of a sheet of metal a primer material, baking the rimer material, applying to an absorbent bac ing a coating of any of the group of substances which comprises cellulose ester and plasticizer, cellulose ester and plasticizer and resin, cellulose ester and resin, synthetic resin, resin and oil capable of withstanding a drawing operation, setting the coating into hardened condition, printing or lithographing a design on the hardened coating, applying a solvent to the primer or coating, bringing the primer and coating together with the application of pressure and permitting the same to become mutually incorporated, removing the backing, and die-forming the sheet of metal with the primer and coating applied thereon.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature. THOMAS S. REESE. 

